DFW Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Defense

We Defend Clients Facing Money Laundering Charges and Wire Fraud Charges in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Area

Attorney Nick Oberheiden
DFW Wire Fraud Defense
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The federal wire fraud statute is extremely broad in scope, and it includes provisions for substantial fines and long-term imprisonment. The federal money laundering statute poses similar risks. If you are under investigation or facing charges from federal prosecutors in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area, our legal team can help.

While facing allegations of any federal crime can pose serious risks, certain allegations are more dangerous than others. For example, facing allegations under the federal wire fraud statute (18 USC Section 1343) or the federal money laundering statute (18 USC Section 1956) can create exposure to six-figure fines and decades of federal prison time.

As a result, if you are facing allegations of wire fraud or money laundering in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area, you need a highly experienced federal criminal law firm on your side.

At Oberheiden PC, we have extensive experience defending clients in federal money laundering and wire fraud cases. We also have extensive experience in cases involving allegations of bank fraud, mail fraud, drug trafficking, and other serious federal crimes. If you are at risk of facing a conviction in the federal courts, our former prosecutors and career federal criminal defense attorneys can fight to protect you by all means available.

Experienced Defense Counsel for Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Cases in DFW

Our senior attorneys routinely defend clients who are facing charges for wire fraud, money laundering, and other white collar crimes in the DFW area. We handle federal investigations and prosecutions in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Regardless of the current status of the government’s case, we can use our experience to protect your constitutional rights and help you fight to avoid unnecessary consequences in cases involving:

Wire Fraud Defense

The federal wire fraud statute prohibits the use of interstate “wire communications” (including telephone, internet, and television communications) in the furtherance of fraudulent schemes and other criminal activity. Executing fraudulent electronic financial transactions can also implicate the federal wire fraud statute, as can using electronic communication tools (including social media) to obtain funds by false pretenses or otherwise commit fraud.

Money Laundering Defense

The federal money laundering statute is similarly broad. While 18 USC Section 1956 applies to criminal enterprises, it also applies to individuals who transfer funds for illicit purposes. While the federal government must prove defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, prosecutors may have various forms of evidence at their disposal; and, as a result, experienced legal representation is essential for fighting to avoid a money laundering conviction.

Defense Against Bank Fraud and Other Federal Charges

Along with wire fraud and money laundering charges, we also defend clients that are facing charges for other federal white collar crimes as well. This includes (but is by no means limited to):

Bank fraud (submitting false information to a bank or using a financial institution (including an online brokerage) to execute a financial crime)
Mail fraud (sending mail in connection with a scheme to perpetrate fraud in interstate or foreign commerce)
Securities fraud (defrauding investors, executing Ponzi schemes and pump-and-dump schemes, and related offenses that cross state lines)

Along with handling federal cases in the DFW area, we also represent clients that are facing prosecution under state law. In Texas, money laundering and other white-collar crimes can range from a state jail felony to a first-degree felony depending on the specific allegations involved.

Similar to allegations in federal cases, allegations in state cases can also take many forms. In all cases, state felonies can carry severe penalties (including penalties that are on par with the penalties imposed at the federal level in some cases); so, if you are facing prosecution under Texas law, you need experienced defense representation in this scenario as well.

How Our Law Office Can Help if You Are Under Investigation or Facing Charges in Texas

Facing wire fraud or money laundering charges can expose you to substantial penalties. It can also threaten your professional reputation, and it can have various other financial, professional, and practical consequences as well. As a result, if you are under investigation or facing charges, you need a strong legal defense—and this means that you need a law firm that has the capabilities and resources required to defend you effectively.

If you are facing wire fraud or money laundering charges in the DFW area, we can:

Promptly intervene in the government’s case to protect your rights and prevent overreach;
Conduct a comprehensive case assessment to determine whether (and to what extent) you are at risk of facing an indictment;
Formulate a defense strategy focused on protecting your best interests under the circumstances at hand;
Target a pre-charge resolution (if possible) and seek to close the government’s case without the need to go to trial; and,
If necessary, take your case to trial and use the available evidence (or lack thereof) to demonstrate that prosecutors cannot prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

There are several potential defenses to wire fraud and money laundering charges in federal investigations and in state courts. For example, a defense focused on good faith can negate the required mental state for wire fraud—as prosecutors must be able to prove intent to defraud. In cases under 18 USC Section 1956, if the prosecution’s evidence of any of the three stages of a money laundering transaction (i.e., placement, layering, or integration) is lacking, this can be enough to defeat the prosecution’s case in its entirety.

Procedural defenses focused on suppressing evidence obtained in violation of your constitutional rights may be available as well. Our attorneys can determine which defenses are available in your case, and we can use these defenses to protect you to the fullest extent possible.

FAQs: What You Need to Know When Facing Federal Wire Fraud or Money Laundering Allegations

What is the statute of limitations for wire fraud and money laundering in federal cases?

Federal wire fraud charges are typically subject to a five-year statute of limitations. Federal money laundering charges are typically subject to a seven-year statute of limitations, although a five-year limitations period applies in some cases. If it is too late for federal prosecutors to pursue charges against you, we can use this to either seek a prompt end to the government’s investigation or seek dismissal of the government’s case in federal court.

Why do large cash deposits raise red flags about money laundering?

Large cash deposits raise red flags about money laundering because cash transactions are often used to conceal the source of income from illegal activities. However, large cash deposits are not necessarily indicative of money laundering on their own. The prosecution must prove that the defendant knowingly participated in unlawful activity in order to pursue money laundering charges in federal cases. In many cases, our attorneys will argue that no fraudulent scheme existed as part of our clients’ defense strategy—as this can raise questions about multiple aspects of the prosecution’s burden of proof.

What is the federal prison sentence for wire fraud?

A conviction under the federal wire fraud statute can lead to a sentence of up to 30 years in a federal penitentiary depending on the circumstances involved. In most cases, however, the maximum prison sentence is 20 years.

What is the federal prison sentence for money laundering?

The maximum federal prison sentence for money laundering is 20 years. With that said, federal judges must apply the federal sentencing guidelines when imposing prison sentences post-conviction, and it will be possible to argue for a much shorter prison sentence in many cases. When negotiating plea deals in federal money laundering cases (among others) we prioritize keeping our clients out of prison, and we have an extensive track record of helping our clients avoid incarceration in serious federal cases.

What are the fines for wire fraud and money laundering?

Under federal law, wire fraud can carry up to a $1 million fine depending on the circumstances involved. Money laundering carries a fine of up to or twice the value of the money involved in the transaction, whichever is greater.

Importantly, under the federal wire fraud and money laundering statutes, each individual transmission can be charged as a separate crime. As a result, individuals charged under these statutes will often face multi-million-dollar liability exposure. Additionally, if prosecutors pursue charges for other white collar crimes (as is often the case), this can substantially increase the legal risks involved as well.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Dallas Wire Fraud Defense Lawyer at Oberheiden PC

If you are under investigation or facing charges for wire fraud or money laundering in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area, we encourage you to contact us promptly. The sooner you get in touch, the more we can do to help. Call 888-680-1745 or contact us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced federal defense lawyer at Oberheiden PC today.